Today is more of an upper beginner/lower intermediate level post. My Chinese teacher used to go on at length about the differences between 会 and 能。
会 (huì) and 能 (néng) both mean “can,” but they don’t mean the same thing....so what’s the big difference?
会 + Verb
会 most commonly means “can” or “able to,” with regards to a skill that you have the ability to do. Use it for acquired skills, not abilities which you were born with i.e foreign languages
For example:
她会做饭。
Tā huì zuò fàn.
She can cook.
会 is also often used for “will”, or “will be”:
你会去英国吗?
nǐ huì qù yīngguó ma?
Will you go to England?
能 + Verb
Use 能 to indicate that you’re physically able to do something or complete a task.
你能帮我一个忙?
Nǐ néng bāng wǒ yī gè máng?
Can you help me for a minute?
Unlike 会 (but similar to 可以) 能 can also mean “be allowed to” or “may do.”
在室内不能抽烟.
zài shì nèi bù néng chōu yān.
Smoking not allowed inside.
If you forget everything else:
会
1. learned knowledge
2. expressing future potential
能
1. expressing physical ability to do a task.
2. expressing permission.